Dried Sweet Potatoes from Tanbu

Dried Sweet Potatoes from Tanbu

　　Owing to its distinctive natural advantages—such as high elevation, cooler climate, and rich soil—Tanbu Town yields plentiful crops of sweet and premium-quality sweet potatoes every year. These Tanbu sweet potatoes are characterized by their high sugar content, low starch levels, minimal fiber, strong aroma, and tender, delicious taste. In autumn, after farmers harvest the sweet potatoes, most are processed into dried sweet potatoes through a primitive and straightforward method. The production relies on natural sun-drying and air-drying without adding any chemicals or artificial coloring. The resulting Tanbu dried sweet potatoes have a delightful taste that is sweet but not cloying, with a golden-yellow hue tinged with red and a texture that’s soft yet chewy—offering a uniquely delicious flavor. As a result, they are highly popular and well-known both within and outside the county, becoming a beloved local specialty enjoyed by many and often given as gifts to family and friends.

　　Production Steps:

　　Step 1: Select sweet potatoes with smooth, fine skin, free of insect holes, damage, or off-odors, and of moderate size. It’s best to let freshly dug sweet potatoes sit for a few days to allow some moisture to evaporate, which helps convert more starch into sugar.

　　Step 2: Take the sweet potatoes to the riverside, streamside, or near a well, and rinse off the dirt. Flowing stream water is the best way to thoroughly clean off the soil.

　　Step 3: Place the cleaned sweet potatoes into a large wood-fired stove to steam and cook. Once cooked, let them cool, then peel the skins off the sweet potato pieces.

　　Step 4: Depending on the shape of the sweet potatoes, manually cut them into appropriately sized pieces for sun-drying and air-drying. The drying process relies entirely on sunlight until they achieve a yellowish-red color with full flavor, aroma, and taste.

　　The dried sweet potatoes turn out soft, sticky, sweet, and fragrant. Tanbu dried sweet potatoes retain their natural color and quality, showcasing a yellowish-red hue with a delicate, sweet aroma. Their texture is soft yet chewy, and they are rich in glucose, vitamins A, B, C, and D, as well as trace elements such as copper, phosphorus, and iron. They are classified as physiologically alkaline food, helping to balance the physiological acidity from staples like rice, wheat, and meat.

　　Plus, these dried sweet potatoes make for a snack you can even enjoy in bed without worrying about crumbs—ha ha. Just imagine lying in bed scrolling through your phone or watching TV dramas while munching on a soft, sweet, and sticky piece of dried sweet potato. How delightful is that?